Beyond the Technology: Examining AI’s Role in Society at Tufts Masterclass
Following the success of its inaugural session, The Center for Professional & Workforce Impact at Tufts University College hosted its second Tufts Masterclass Series from September 14-18, 2026.
Each Masterclass cohort aims to provide participants with access to new topics, experts, and research in an immersive blend of seminars, hands-on experiences, and community-building moments. This past fall’s Masterclass session, Artificial Intelligence and Society, explored the social, cultural, and political dimensions of AI and emerging technology.
Exploring AI Through Multiple Lenses
Hailing primarily from the Northeast and convening on Tufts University's Medford campus, this session's cohort brought their curiosity and a diverse tapestry of professional knowledge — honed by careers in software engineering, media, education, business, workforce development, and nonprofit/social impact.
Over the course of the week, participants engaged with content spanning a broad range of topics related to artificial intelligence and explored the technology’s impact from multiple angles. Tufts University experts, which included faculty, researchers, and professionals from the School of Engineering, the School of Arts and Sciences, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, Tisch Library, and the university’s Office of the Provost, presented on a variety of research and perspectives about artificial intelligence, including:
- Common misconceptions related to generative AI vs. general AI
- The astronomical impact of AI on the environment
- AI and cybersecurity
Finding Balance in an aI-Driven World
Steven Koltai, Tufts Masterclass Fellow Fall 2026, was particularly interested in the regulation and guardrails of artificial intelligence across industries.
“Small is beautiful — we should only use AI for essential items,” said Koltai, upon reflecting of the importance of finding balance between AI's benefits vs. negative impact. “Don’t use AI where far lesser energy-intensive queries can suffice.”
This type of discourse epitomizes the raison d'être behind Tufts Masterclass — that nuance, research, and critical thinking are essential when it comes to exploring the most pressing questions and topics facing today's society.
Exploring New Ideas in Spring 2027
Tufts University College will welcome two new Masterclass cohorts to campus in spring 2027: The Art of Storytelling for Impact and Media, Misinformation, and Democracy. Both sessions will explore how information sharing shapes our lives and the decisions we make.
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